Focacciola

Elba, Italy Tuscan Archipelago National Park

4.0 (1 review)

Intermediate

Hand-shaped landscape with caves, gullies, and rich marine life.

Boat Access
15m Avg Depth
25m Max Depth

About this dive site

This dive site presents a unique underwater landscape shaped like an open hand with a prominent wrist. The dive typically begins from the west side, descending approximately 10 meters along a chain line. Initial exploration leads to an inlet featuring a blind cave, illuminated by torches to reveal its colorful formations. Divers can then retrace their path and investigate a parallel gully characterized by an oblique rock formation – a passage teeming with marine life. The dive reaches a depth of 15 meters where the south side offers a diverse environment of boulders hosting various species, notably numerous nudibranchs. A commemorative plaque honors freediver J. Maiol, located on a base between sand and Poseidonia. Further exploration reveals a cave filled with sponges and limestone formations that thrive in darkness; observing upward through an exit provides views of a siphon with perpendicular and lateral passages. Returning to the surface, the dive concludes near the safety stop, with the boat visible ahead.

Diving Freediving Snorkeling

Site Ratings

Big Marine Life Fair
Macro Marine Life Very Good
Landscape Quality Excellent
Water Visibility Very Good Viz
Famousness Well Known

Plan Your Visit

cavernswim-throughrock formationmacro photographynudibranchwall dive

Marine Life

NudibranchsSpongesOctopusMoray eelScorpionfishGrouperDamselfishBreamPoseidonia sea grass

Things to Note

Difficulty:

Intermediate

Features overhead environments (caves) and moderate depth, requiring good buoyancy and navigation skills.

Hazards:
overhead environmentboat traffic
Current Strength:

Mild

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